Jenkins High's Demetris Evans is fouled as he is double-teamed by Savannah High's Kavon Freeman and Jontay Mitchell on Wednesday during the 3-AAAAA Region Tournament at Camden County High School. Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News

Savannah High's Jontay Mitchell attempts a basket against a double team by Reger Baker (22) and Kevin Tolbert (24) on Wednesday during the 3-AAAAA Region Tournament at Camden County High School. Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News

KINGSLAND - The Jenkins Warriors basketball program took a step forward Wednesday night while perennial power Savannah High took a giant step backward.

The Warriors, who won only one game last season, weathered a rough first half before surging past the Blue Jackets 64-54 in the opening round of the Region 3-AAAAA Tournament at Camden County High School.

Fifth-seeded Jenkins (12-14) advanced to the Class AAAAA state tournament while fourth-seeded Savannah High, a quarterfinalist in the state playoffs last season, saw its streak of consecutive years going to state snapped at 12.

"We've come a long way this season," said Warriors guard Demetris Evans. "We had a little slump in the middle of the season, but we've got it back now."

Jenkins had a long way to climb against Savannah High on Wednesday. The Warriors trailed 36-27 at halftime but went on a 23-3 run and held SHS to just one field goal during the first 14 minutes of the second half.

A little tinkering with the defense appeared to make the biggest difference. Jenkins switched from a 1-2-2 zone to its normal 2-3 zone.

"We wanted to confuse them," Warriors coach Greg Oliver said.

Against the 2-3, SHS committed five straight turnovers to begin the third quarter.

Meanwhile, Warriors point guard Mason Hill began to heat up. He had 11 points during the big run. Hill finished with 15 points.

KINGSLAND - Richie Wilson ended the night for Groves with two monster slams.

Prior to the Wilson's aerial artistry, the visiting Rebels slammed Camden County, 84-49, in the opening round of the Region 3-AAAAA Tournament.

Groves (24-1) won its 23rd straight game and advanced to the Class AAAAA state tournament.

Much was made of the Camden's basketball team getting a late start to practice because eight of its 11 players competed on the school's football team.

Camden won the Class AAAAA state championship in football and the players didn't begin practicing until the middle of December, about a month behind other schools.

But no amount of practice would have helped Camden on Wednesday.

"How's the ankle?" Groves coach Jeff Grimes asked Wilson in jest.

Wilson's dunks could have wowed Nate Robinson, the NBA dunk champion. Wilson's first a reverse off an alley-oop. The next was a double-clutch slam.

The gym was buzzing 20 minutes after the game ended.

Groves had put on a show all night. The Rebels led 24-3 after the first quarter and 48-20 at halftime. Their 30-point plus advantage entering the final quarter mercifully shortened the fourth quarter to six minutes.

"Our kids read the paper, and I think they knew Camden was an improved team," Grimes said.

The Wildcats entered with three straight wins, including a 12-point decision over Savannah High.

But Camden was no match for the firepower from Groves. Senior Keenan Ready, who was named the region's player of the year on Tuesday, poured in 28 points. First-team all-region forward Brandon Mobley added 18.

Ready had 10 points in the first quarter when the Rebels raced to a 21-point lead.

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